Abdominal Cramps and Implantation

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MARTINA MCATEE Last Updated: Jun 13, 2017

Martina McAtee

Based in Florida, Martina McAtee has been writing health and fitness articles since 2003. She attended Keiser University, graduating with an Associate of Science in nursing. McAtee is currently working toward a master's degree in nursing from Florida Atlantic University.

Abdominal cramping during pregnancy is not always a sign that something is wrong.Photo Credit Summer pregnancy image by dpaint from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

When a woman suspects pregnancy, abdominal cramping can cause concern. However, there are several reasons during pregnancy that a woman may experience pains in the abdomen ranging from mild twinges to cramps similar to a menstrual cycle. A common cause of abdominal cramping during early pregnancy is implantation of the embryo, according to the MayoClinic.com.

Implantation

Abdominal cramping may be one of the first indications that a woman is pregnant. However, she may not suspect pregnancy and instead may think that this is the beginning of her monthly menstruation. After an egg is fertilized, the embryo will travel from the fallopian tube to imbed in the lining of the uterus. During implantation, a woman may notice abdominal cramping and spotting. The bleeding associated with implantation will often appear pink and lighter than a normal period, according to the MayoClinic.com.

Time Frame

Implantation commonly occurs within 10 to 14 days after fertilization. Women ovulate about 14 days before the start of their next period so implantation often coincides with the time when a woman is expecting to menstruate.

Possible Causes

In the beginning of pregnancy, women may experience cramping or aching in the lower abdomen due to stretching of the round ligaments in preparation for the enlargement of the uterus. Constipation may also cause abdominal pain starting in the early part of pregnancy and continuing throughout.

Warnings

In some cases, abdominal cramping in pregnancy may mean something is wrong. Approximately 15 to 20 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Women who have had positive pregnancy test and experience strong abdominal cramps, vaginal bleeding and passing of tissue through the vagina may be experiencing a miscarriage and should call their physician. Another cause of abdominal cramping may be an ectopic pregnancy where the embryo implants somewhere outside the uterus, commonly the fallopian tubes. Ectopic pregnancies often include sharp pain in the abdomen, strong abdominal cramping, vaginal bleeding and low levels of hCG.

Considerations

If a woman experiences abdominal cramping during pregnancy, she should discuss any concerns she has with her physician. If a woman is unsure if she is pregnant, a urine or blood test can confirm the diagnosis. However, if a woman performs a urine test too early, she may receive a false negative as there is not enough pregnancy hormone, or hCG. While many commercial urine tests say that a woman may test as early as five days before her period, the American Pregnancy Association says that it is best for a woman to wait until at least one day past a skipped menstrual period for the most accurate results.